Taxonomic and distributionalTAP CHI assessments SINH HOC of Chaerephon2014, 36(4): plicatus479-486 DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v36n4.5980

TAXONOMIC AND DISTRIBUTIONAL ASSESSMENTS OF Chaerephon plicatus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) FROM VIETNAM

Vu Dinh Thong Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, VAST, [email protected]

ABSTRACT: To date, Wrinkle-lipped Bat (Chaerephon plicatus) is the only species of the family Molossidae in Vietnam. It is found throughout much of Asia but rarely recorded in the country. Every published record of this species from Vietnam was only resulted from a single individual with little data on morphology. Particularly, the previous publications did not include any information about either colony size or roosting site of the species within Vietnam. Between 2001 and 2014, a series of field surveys was conducted throughout the country with an intensive search for free-tailed bat species. The obtained results indicate that Wrinkle-lipped Bat is a widespread bat species but its known roosting sites in Vietnam are quite distjunct. Its colony size is in both seasonal and geographical variations ranging from several hundreds to over three million individuals. The species inhabits seasonally and permanently in northern and southern regions, respectively. This paper provides taxonomic and ecological assessments with an emphasis on morphological measurements, colony size, roosting habitats and national distributional range of Wrinkle-lipped Bat within Vietnam. Keywords: Asia, behavior, free-tailed bat, habitat, Mammalia, seasonal variation.

INTRODUCTION molossid bats from Vietnam was included in Wrinkle-lipped Bat (Chaerephon plicatus) Total (1974) [17] with record of one specimen is a free-tailed species, which was originally identified as Tadarida plicata. Since then, records described as Vespertilio plicatus (Buchannan of Tadarida plicata from the country has been 1800). Subsequently, the species was included in a series of publications (Cao Van reclassified as Tadarida (Chaerephon) plicata Sung 1976, Sokolov 1986, Corbet and Hill 1992, [1, 6], Chaerephon plicata [2, 12] and Dang Huy Huynh et al. 1994, Hendrichsen 2001, Chaerephon plicatus [5, 9]. Freeman (1981) Borissenko and Kruskop 2003, Kruskop 2013). [10] delineated that Tadarida and Chaerephon Borissenko and Kruskop (2003) [2] and Kruskop are two distinct genera. This paper identifies the (2013) [12] assumed that “at least two other materials from Vietnam as Chaerephon plicatus species could be found in Vietnam” and provided following Simmons (2005) [15] and Francis a key to Chaerephon plicata and three other (2008) [9]. species: Otomops wroughtoni, Tadarida latouchei and Tadarida insignis. According to results from Simmons (2005) [15] included a total of 111 the present study and several previous free-tailed bat species belonging to 17 genera publications, distribution of Chaerephon plicatus worldwide: Chaerephon, Cheiromeles, in Vietnam is confirmed, whereas three later Cynomops, Eumops, Mormopterus, Molossops, species (Otomops wroughtoni, Tadarida latouchei Molossus, Mops, Myopterus, Neoplatymops, and Tadarida insignis) are still unrecorded from Nyctinomops, Otomops, Platymops, Promops the country. On the other hand, almost nothing is and Tomopeas. Of which, 19 species belong to the known about roosting sites and colony sizes of genus Chaerephon. Within the Southeast Asian free-tailed bats in Vietnam. This paper provides a region, free-tailed bats currently comprise 6 taxonomic assessment, distributional and species belonging to 5 genera: Chaerephon ecological data of Chaerephon plicatus from plicatus, C. johorensis, Cheiromeles torquatus, Vietnam. Mops mops, Otomops wroughtoni and Tadarida latouchei [9]. The first published information of MATERIALS AND METHODS

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Bat capture canine width-greatest width, taken across the Bats were captured and handled in the field outer borders of upper canines; M3-M3, upper following guidelines approved by the American molar width-greatest width, taken across the Society of Mammalogists [14]. A total of outer crowns of the last upper molars; C1-M3, nineteen specimens were collected from their maxillary toothrow length-from the front of roosting sites and examined for taxonomic upper canine to the back of the crown of the confirmation. Of which, three specimens third molar; ml, mandible length-from the (IEBR-T.280808.3, IEBR-T.280808.4, IEBR- anterior rim of the alveolus of the first lower T.280808.5, adult females, bodies in alcohol, incisor to the most posterior part of the condyle; skulls extracted) were collected from Lang Son c1-m3, mandibular toothrow length-from the province, northern Vietnam and sixteen front of the lower canine to the back of the remainders (IEBR-T.051214.6, adult female, crown of the third lower molar. Reproductive body in alcohol, skull extracted; IEBR- status and age were assessed following Racey T.051214.4, IEBR-T.051214.5, IEBR- (2009) [13] and Brunet-Rossinni & Wilkinson T.051214.7, IEBR-T.051214.8, IEBR- (2009) [3], respectively. IEBR-T. is an acronym T.051214.9, IEBR-T.051214.10, IEBR- for the bat collection of Vu Dinh Thong, T.051214.11, IEBR-T.051214.12, IEBR- retained at the Institute of Ecology and T.051214.13, IEBR-T.051214.14, IEBR- Biological Resources (IEBR), Hanoi, Vietnam. T.051214.15, IEBR-T.051214.16, IEBR- Distributional ranges were assessed following T.051214.17, IEBR-T.051214.18, IEBR- data from field surveys and published T.051214.19, unsexed, adult, skulls only) were information. Estimation of the numbers of collected from Dong Nai province, southern individuals inhabiting each locality was based Vietnam. on results from observational counting at the front of caves when bats were emerging at Taxonomic and ecological assessments dusk. Video cameras were utilised to shoot External and craniodental measurements clips for replaying to reevaluate the observed were taken following Vu Dinh Thong (2011) colony sizes. [18], Vu Dinh Thong et al. (2012a, 2012b, 2012c) [19, 20, 21], Bates & Harrison (1997) RESULTS AND DISCUSSION [1] and Csorba et al. (2003) [7]. The Taxonomy measurements comprise FA, forearm length- from the extremity of the elbow to the extremity Table 1. External measurements (in mm) of of the carpus with the wings folded; EH, ear Chaerephon plicatus from Vietnam height-length of ear conch; TIB, tibia length- Parameter mean SD range n from the knee joint to the ankle; HF, hind-foot length-from the extremity of the heel behind the FA 48.24 1.37 46.24-49.32 4 os calcis to the extremity of the longest digit, EH 18.63 1.30 17.57-20.08 3 excluding the hairs or claws; Tail: tail length, TIB 16.34 0.15 16.20-16.53 4 from the tip of the tail to its base adjacent to the HF 9.66 1.35 8.11-11.40 4 body; SL, total length of skull-from occiput to Tail 37.41 1.88 35.15-39.37 4 the most anterior part of the canine; CCL, condylocanine length-from the exoccipital External and craniodental characteristics of condyle to the most anterior part of the canine; all specimens obtained during the present study IOW, interorbital width-the least width of the exhibit well the diagnoses of Chaerephon interorbital constriction; ZW, zygomatic width- plicatus. Their forearm length ranges from the greatest width of the skull across the 46.24 to 49.32 mm with an average of 48.24 zygomatic arches; BW, width of braincase - mm (n = 4; table 1). The ears are fleshy and greatest width of the braincase at the posterior connected by a membrance across the forehead roosts of the zygomatic arches; C1-C1, upper (fig. 1). Each ear has a blunt tip. Its anterior and

480 Taxonomic and distributional assessments of Chaerephon plicatus posterior borders are slightly convex and strong but its coronoid process is less developed waved, respectively. There are six fleshy and lower than respective canine. The upper transverse ridges on the posterior lobe (fig. 1). and lower canines are sharp and pointed The eyes are large (in comparison with those of (fig. 2). There are only one pair of upper other microchiropteran bat species). The upper incisors, which are remarkbly robust. lip is well developed and wrinkled. Nottrils open sidewards. The pelage is soft, dense and Table 2. Craniodental measurements (in mm) of mostly uniform chestnut. The hairs on the Chaerephon plicatus from Vietnam shoulder, just after the posterior base of the Parameter mean Min-max SD n ears, are darker than those in the remainder SL 20.23 19.58-20.92 0.55 5 parts. Individual hairs are short and almost CCL 17.36 17.19-17.64 0.21 4 equal in length. The tail is robust and macular. IOW 4.32 3.95-4.55 0.16 15 It projects conspicuously beyond the narrow ZW 11.81 11.46-12.27 0.29 13 and naked interfemoral membrance. The skull is BW 11.17 10.45-11.70 0.46 9 small with an average SL of 20.23 mm (19.58- C1-C1 5.04 4.92-5.26 0.14 5 20.92 mm; n = 5; table 2). The rostrum and M3-M3 8.61 8.03-9.31 0.37 11 brancse are narrower forewards and flatted, C1-M3 7.56 6.91-8.58 0.59 8 respectively (fig. 2). The sagittal crest is well ml 13.48 13.26-13.64 0.17 4 defined but less developed. The mandible is c1-m3 7.98 7.91-8.10 0.08 4

Figure 1. Face and ear of Chaerephon plicatus from Vietnam

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Figure 2. Ventral, dorsal, and lateral (from top-right anticlockwise) views of the skull and mandible of Chaerephon plicatus from Vietnam. Scale = 10 mm.

Distribution and ecology ranges between thounsands and millions of individuals. The northern colony, which In Vietnam, Chaerephon plicatus is contains over 3,000,000 individuals, seasonally recorded from both northern and southern inhabits a huge cave situated on a karst regions (fig. 3). All known roosting sites of the mountain beside a large rice field of Lang Son species are nested within the areas with province. Other bat species recorded from the limestone karst or rocks. Its colony at each site same cave are Cynopterus horsfieldii, Rousettus

482 Taxonomic and distributional assessments of Chaerephon plicatus leschenaulti, Myotis chinensis and Taphozous information from interviews and a daytime melanopogon. The southern conlony inhabits observation at the sites, its size ranges from 600 permanently crevices in large piles of rocks and to 800 individuals. boulders of Dong Nai province. Based on

Figure 3. Currently known roosting sites of Chaerephon plicatus from Vietnam [ground map was adapted from Dang Ngoc Can et al. 2008]

DISCUSSION (Hanoi) to karst habitats with primary forests Prior to the present study, Chaerephon (Ba Be and Xuan Son National Parks) and plicatus was only known from several localities offshore island [2, 12, 17]. Chaerephon plicatus in northern Vietnam ranging from urban was classified as Tadarida (Chaerephon)

483 Vu Dinh Thong plicata [1, 6]. However, Chaerephon appears as in various habitats ranging from urban to karst a distinct genus and the species should be forest areas. Its colony size ranges from six commonly treated as Chaerephon plicatus hundreds to over three million individuals. A (Simmons 2005) [15]. In a number of long-term action plan is needed for both publications, the scientific name of the species research and sustainable conservation of was spelled as either Tadarida plicata [11] or Chaerephon plicatus in Vietnam in coming Chaerephon plicata [2, 8, 12]. Topal (1974) time. [17] recorded a single pregnant female without Acknowledgements: This research is funded by measurement. This record was followed by the Vietnam National Foundation for Science Dang Huy Huynh et al. (1994) [8] and and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) Hendrichsen et al. (2001) [11]. Borissenko and under grant number 106.11-2012.02; the Bat Kruskop (2003) [2] mentioned a single Conservation International (BCI), USA. The (unsexed) specimen, which was cited in author is very grateful to Dr. Dave Waldien Kruskop (2013) [12], from the “Gulf of (Senior Director, Global Conservation) of BCI; Tonkin”, northeastern Vietnam. Detailed Prof. Hans-Ulrich Schnitzler, Dr. Annette assessments of the taxonomic status of Denzinger, Dr. Christian Dietz of the University Chaerephon plicatus and an unidentified free- of Tuebingen, Germany; Dr Paul J.J. Bates of tailed bat species from the country are in the Harrison Institute, England; Prof. Paul preparation for a forthcoming publication (Vu Racey of the University of Exeter, England; Dinh Thong, in literature). Marianne Carter (Director of Conservation With a confirmation of the roosting site in Capacity, Fauna & Flora International) and the Dong Nai province, results from the present Management Team of the Conservation study remarkably extend the potential Leadership Programme (Robyn Dalzen, Stuart distribution range of the species within the Paterson, Kiragu Mwangi, Julie Lewis, country. Annually, the northern colony only Christina Imrich, Iain Dickson); Dr. Neil Furey appears within two periods (March-June and of the Fauna and Flora International Agust-October). Prior to August 2012, the (Cambodia); and to our colleagues at the northern colony was critically hunted by local Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, people. With support from the Bat Conservation Institute of Tropical Biology, VAST, and other International, a series of solutions (awareness institutions for their help and support. raising campaign, a lawful regulation with agreements signed between the author of this REFERENCES paper and local authorities, etc.) was implemented for urgent conservation of the 1. Bates P. J. J., Harrison D. L., 1997. Bats of greatest bat cave in Vietnam. Additionally, a the Indian Subcontinent. Harrison guard station was also built in front of the cave Zoological Museum, Sevenoaks, Kent, for a local family staying to protect and monitor United Kingdom, 297 pp. the colony. Without doubt, a long-term 2. Borissenko A. V., Kruskop S. V., 2003. programme is clearly required for the Bats of Vietnam and Adjacent Territories: maintainance of the guard station, extensive an identification manual. Joint Russian- research and sustainable conservation of the Vietnamese Science and Technological colony in northern Vietnam. Tropical Centre, Moscow and Hanoi, Russia CONCLUSION and Vietnam, 212 pp. Chaerephon plicatus is the only free-tailed 3. Brunet-Rossinni A. K., Wilkinson G. S., bat species with confirmed taxonomy and 2009. Methods for age estimation and the distribution in Vietnam. Its taxonomic status study of senescence in bats. In: Kunz T.H., and roosting sites of the species from the Parsons S. (eds.) Ecological and Behavioral country are confirmed. The species is recorded Methods for the Study of Bats, 2nd edition,

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Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Care and Use Committee of the American pp. 315-325. Society of Mammalogists, 2011. Guidelines 4. Buchannan F., 1782. Description of the of the American Society of Mammalogists Vespertilio plicatus. Transactions of the for the use of wild mammals in research. Linnean Society of London, Volume 5: 261- Journal of Mammalogy 92:235-253. 263. 15. Simmons N. B., 2005. Order Chiroptera. In: 5. Cao Van Sung, 1976. New data on the Wilson DE and Reeder DM (eds.) Mammal morphology and biology of some rare species of the world: A taxonomic and mammals from north Vietnam. geographic reference. The Johns Hopkins Zoologicheskii zhurnal, 55(12): 1880-1885 University Press, Baltimore, 3rd edition, pp. [in Russian]. 312-529. 6. Corbet G. B., Hill J. E., 1992. The 16. Sokolov V. M., Kunznetzov G. V., Dang Mammals of the Indomalayan Region. Huy Huynh, Cao Van Sung, Pham Trong Oxford University Press, Oxford, England, Anh, 1986. [Taxonomic checklist of the 496 pp. mammal fauna of Vietnam] (pp. 5-14). In: Sokolov, V.E. (ed.) [Fauna and ecology of 7. Csorba G., Ujhelyi P., Thomas N., 2003. mammals and birds of Vietnam]. Moscow Horseshoe Bats of the World (Chiroptera: [in Russian]. Rhinolophidae). Alana Books, England, 160 pp. 17. Topal G., 1974. Field observation on Oriental bats: sex ratio and reproduction. 8. Dang Huy Huynh (ed.), Dao Van Tien, Cao Vertebr. Hung. XV: 83-94. Van Sung, Pham Trong Anh, Hoang Minh Khien, 1994. Checklist of mammals in 18. Vu Dinh Thong, 2011. Systematics and Vietnam. Publishing House “Science and echolocation of rhinolophoid bats Technics”, Hanoi, 168 pp [in Vietnamese]. (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Vietnam. PhD Thesis, University of Tuebingen, 9. Francis C. M., 2008. A guide to the Tuebingen, Germany, 258 pp. Mammals of Southeast Asia. Princeton University Press, Princeton, USA, 392 pp. 19. Vu Dinh Thong, Dietz C., Denzinger A., Bates P. J. J., Puechmaille S. J., Callou C., 10. Freeman P. W., 1981. A multivariate study Schnitzler H.-U., 2012a. Resolving a of the family Molossidae (Mammalia: mammal mystery: the identity of Chiroptera): morphology, ecology, Paracoelops megalotis (Chiroptera: evolution. Fieldiana, No. 7, 92pp. Hipposideridae). Zootaxa, 3505, 75-85. 11. Hendrichsen D. K., Bates P. J. J., Hayes B. 20. Vu Dinh Thong, Puechmaille S. J., D., Walson J. L., 2001. Recent records of Denzinger A., Bates P. J. J., Dietz C., bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Vietnam Csorba G., Soisook P., Teeling E. C., with six species new to the country. Myotis, Matsumura S., Furey N., Schnitzler H. U., 39:35-199. 2012b. Systematics of the Hipposideros 12. Kruskop S. V., 2013. Bats of Vietnam: turpis complex and a description of a new Checklist and an identification manual. subspecies from Vietnam. Mammal Rev., Moscow, Russia, 299 pp. 42: 166-192. 13. Racey P. A., 2009. Reproductive assessment 21. Vu Dinh Thong, Puechmaille S. J., in bats. In: Kunz T.H., Parsons S. (eds.) Denzinger A., Dietz C., Csorba G., Bates P. Ecological and Behavioral Methods for the J. J., Teeling E. C., Schnitzler H. U., 2012c. Study of Bats, 2nd edition, Johns Hopkins A new species of Hipposideros (Chiroptera: University Press, Baltimore, pp. 249-264. Hipposideridae) from Vietnam. Journal of 14. Sikes R. S., Gannon W. L., and the Animal Mammalogy, 93: 1-11.

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ĐÁNH GIÁ VỀ PHÂN LOẠI HỌC VÀ PHẠM VI PHÂN BỐ CỦA LOÀI DƠI THÒ ĐUÔI BÉ Chaerephon plicatus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) Ở VIỆT NAM

Vũ Đình Thống Viện Sinh thái và Tài nguyên sinh vật, Viện Hàn lâm KH&CN Việt Nam

SUMMARY

Cho tới nay, Dơi thò đuôi bé (Chaerephon plicatus) là loài duy nhất thuộc họ Molossidae hiện biết ở Việt Nam. Loài dơi này được ghi nhận ở khắp châu Á nhưng hiếm có ghi nhận ở Việt Nam. Những ghi nhận trước đây chỉ căn cứ trên một cá thể đơn lẻ với rất ít dẫn liệu về hình thái. Đặc biệt, chưa có tài liệu nào đề cập đến số lượng trong đàn hoặc nơi ở của loài dơi này ở Việt Nam. Từ năm 2001 đến 2014, nhiều đợt điều tra thực địa về dơi đã được thực hiện trên phạm vi cả nước, tập trung vào tìm kiếm những loài dơi thò đuôi. Kết quả thu được qua thời gian điều tra cho thấy, dơi thò đuôi bé có phạm vi phân bố rộng nhưng nơi ở hiện biết cách nhau rất xa. Số lượng trong đàn của loài dơi này cũng thay đổi theo mùa và theo vị trí địa lý, từ vài trăm đến hơn ba triệu cá thể. Loài dơi này cư trú theo mùa ở miền Bắc nhưng định cư quanh năm ở miền Nam. Bài báo này cung cấp những đánh giá về phân loại học và phạm vi phân bố với những thông tin cơ bản về: đặc điểm hình thái, kích cỡ đàn, sinh cảnh nơi đậu và phạm vi phân bố của loài Dơi thò đuôi nhỏ ở Việt Nam. Từ khóa: Dơi thò đuôi, mammalia, sinh cảnh, tập tính, thay đổi theo mùa.

Ngày nhận bài: 11-9-2014

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